YOU TUBE VIDEO Toledo - Innovation Hub of the Medieval World

Toledo was the vibrant intellectual crucible of medieval Europe, where the sophisticated craftsmanship and analytical rigor of the Islamic world met the European West, so famous that Chaucer was even aware of its brilliance!

As a preeminent center for the design and production of scientific instruments, the city acted as a vital bridge for mathematical and astronomical knowledge. Within its workshops, artisans collaborated across cultural boundaries, refining the tools necessary to map the stars, calculate time, and navigate the seas.

Toledo transformed ancient theoretical knowledge into the practical, precision tools that would eventually ignite the scientific advancements of the Renaissance.

Presented by Dr. Sara Ann Knutson

Director of Medieval Studies, University of British Columbia

Ancient Games Tournament

Join us at Levy Park to test your skills in 5,000 years of exciting challenges of games from around the world.

Compete against friends and foes, cheer on your favorite participants, and immerse yourself in the thrill of ancient competition. Costumes are highly encouraged, so don your best outfit from around the world or through time.

Don't miss out on this epic event that promises fun, camaraderie. Grab your gear and prepare for a day of adventure at the Ancient Games Tournament!

Food from around the world creates an immersive cultural experience for the whole family!

FREE ADMISSION

Sat Apr 18, 2026,  10am-3pm. Levy Park | 3801 Eastside Street, Houston, TX 77098

TALK AND SENSORY TOUR The Pleasure Gardens of al-Andalus

Art, science, and nature converged in the medieval Islamic pleasure gardens of al-Andalus. This engaging program delves into how landscape, architecture, and water worked together to create spaces that were both sustainable and beautiful.

Explore the diversity of herbs and spices that were cultivated in the gardens of al-Andalus and learn how the circulation of information across the medieval world supported great innovations in horticultural knowledge..

Following the presentation, join Hermann Park Conservancy staff for a stroll through McGovern Centennial Gardens to see how the timeless principles of al-Andalus continue to inspire and shape modern landscapes today.

FREE ADMISSION

McGovern Centennial Gardens, Hermann Park

5pm-7pm

1500 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Presented by Prof. Sara Ann Knutson 
Assistant Professor of Teaching | Chair of UBC Medieval Studies Program
Faculty of Arts | Department of History
The University of British Columbia

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SARA ANN KNUTSON - https://www.baytalfann.com/post/preserving-the-past-for-the-future-dr-sara-ann-knutson

In Grateful Partnership

POETRY EVENT Poemas de Tres Culturas

Is it poetry? Is it music? It is an enchanting immersive journey into the soul of medieval Iberia.  

Authentic medieval instruments accompany Houston performers to present an evening intertwining mystical, spiritual, and secular works celebrating Convivencia: a unique historical moment when Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions converged to create a vibrant culture.

In addition, an exhibit will be on view that is created by the Spanish Government. “The Golden Age of Judaism in al-Andalus” that tells the story of Judaism in medieval Spain on a series of 28 panels.

The Al-Andaluz Project musicians accompany readings by Houstonians of poetry from medieval al-Andalus era.

FREE ADMISSION

March 25, 2026, 7:30pm

Location information will be shared upon registration

All attendees must register to attend.

In Grateful Partnership

LIVE YOUTUBE  The Lyrics of al-Andalus:  Wine, Desire, the Garden, and Love of God

Poetry was arguably the outstanding manifestation of the culture of al-Andalus. It held a potent aesthetic appeal to Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike.

Through discussion of  exemplary poems, this talk will explore the thematic range of spellbinding Andalusian Arabic and Hebrew lyrics on human and divine love, the beauty of nature, the pleasures of wine, and poems of praise and lament.

FREE ADMISSION

Sun Mar 8, 2026, 3pm

This talk will be recorded for placement on the Archaeology Now YouTube Channel. Participants in the live broadcast have the opportunity to interact with the speaker.

In Grateful Partnership

TALK The Alhambra Revealed

Famed as a world heritage monument, the Alhambra is more than a stunning palace—it is a "paradise on earth" built by the Nasrid dynasty.

Explore how 13th-century artists and engineers combined water, light, and intricate geometry to create a timeless masterpiece where blend of Islamic and Jewish influences might be seen. From the serene Court of the Lions to the "talking walls" covered in poetry, this event will reveal archaeological and architectural marvels behind the legends of the Alhambra. 

Appropriately, this talk is held at the new Ismaili Center whose architects translate enduring ideas from the Muslim world through contemporary craft, creating a space that feels rooted in tradition yet relevant.

Sr. Fernando Martínez Ávila, Director, Department of Archaeology, Alhambra & Generalife is presenting this talk. 

Free Admission

Talk: 7:00 pm

Iftar Reception: 6:15 pm

The Ismaili Center Houston

2323 Allen Pkwy

Enter at 2290 W Dallas St

This talk is presented in grateful collaboration with the Ismaili Center Houston, the Spanish Consulate of Houston, the Spain US Chamber of Commerce, Casa de Espana, and the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce .

Discover a medieval Islamic  megacity (Córdoba/Madinat al-Zahra) in  
al-Andalus Spain where power, wealth, and cultural innovation attracted poets, scholars, artisans, and diplomats from across the world.

With no equal in Europe for centuries, the archaeology of this city reveals its monumental architecture,  sophisticated urban planning, and the splendor of the western Umayyad caliphate.

Dr. Rafael Blanco Guzmán, Professor of Art History and Archaeology at the Universidad de Córdoba gives this talk.  

FREE ADMISSION

3:00pm

Live YouTube

This talk will be recorded for placement on the Archaeology Now YouTube Channel. Participants in the live broadcast have the opportunity to interact with the speaker.

In Grateful Partnership